THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-55. 633 



library to the condition of a mere appendage of the new 

 purposes, that led to discussion, and finally, through much 

 irritation, to our present position. 



We are not in anywise responsible for these difficulties. 

 We plant ourselves on the law. For the sake of peace, we 

 Lave been willing to adhere to the compromise. We have 

 had reason to raise the controversy on other grounds, for 

 although the resolution of the board giving $20,000 of the 

 income to the library was not repealed, the money was 

 withheld. As an offset, the compromise was to be observed 

 before the finishing of the building. We think it was not 

 fairly administered. We did not, however, take issue on 

 that point, but only on the formal proposition to rescind. 



We may not inaptly retort insinuations of illiberality. 

 We hold to the law, and the law requires a universal 

 library, one " composed of valuable works in all depart- 

 ments of knowledge;" one for the man of science, the 

 artist, the mechanic, the historian, the scholar, the seeker 

 of knowledge of whatever name ; one open to men of all 

 States and all nations. But we are called upon to yield up 

 everything to men of science. The scientific men are down 

 upon us, as if their craft were in danger. They come in 

 societies, and as individuals. Smithson, though a chemist, 

 and member of the Royal Societ}', appears to have been a 

 man of general culture, and to have had sympathy for 

 *' knowledge" without any restrictive epithets. By consult- 

 ing solely the wishes of one particular class of the devotees 

 of knowledge, who cherish only what is called science, we 

 should limit his intentions, 



"And give up to party what was meant for mankind." 



I have not sought letters of recommendation for the 

 library plan, nor have others for me. I doubt not I could 

 have obtained thousands. To show them on either side 

 seems to me idle parade. We doubt not that librarians in 

 Athens and Paris are glad to get handsome books from 

 America, and are ready to praise them before our traveling 

 countrymen. 'Tis polite to do so. We doubt not that sci- 

 entific men like to have means of publishing their works, 

 too heavy for booksellers. We need not here doubt that it 

 may sometimes be useful to publish, gratuitously, books 

 that people do not care enough about to buy. But the 

 question here is, can the Smithsonian Institution lawfully 

 devote itself to such a purpose exclusively or principally ! 



The gentleman from Indiana puts prominently forward 

 the fact that the funds of the institution have not been 



